Brachioplasty in Santa Barbara, CA
The skin around the upper arms of most women eventually hangs when the arms are raised. Sara Yegiyants, MD, FACS, a triple board-certified plastic surgeon, performs arm lifts on people living in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Ventura, CA, and the surrounding communities, to restore a more toned looking appearance.

What is Brachioplasty?
More commonly known as an arm lift, brachioplasty is a plastic surgery procedure that removes excessive skin and fat from the inner and back part of the upper arms. The incisions are placed so that the scars, although they greatly diminish over time, are not very noticeable when the arms are at the side.
Who is a Good Candidate for an Arm Lift?
Women with excess skin, or “bat wings”, on the upper arms are often self-conscious about wearing sleeveless tops that may cause their arms to appear much larger. These women may be excellent candidates for brachioplasty. Dr. Yegiyants can determine if an arm lift is the best option during a consultation with patients.
How is Brachioplasty Performed?
During an arm lift, an incision is made on the posterior side of the upper arms. When an incision is made, excess tissue inside the arm is removed while the remaining is reshaped into a better position to create a more sculpted appearance. If necessary, liposuction in the arm area may also be performed. Once this is complete, the skin is stretched tightly over the arm followed by suturing the incisions. Any excess skin is excised. The arms are bandaged and wrapped to minimize swelling and bruising while the initial healing takes place. Brachioplasty is usually done on an outpatient basis under general or local anesthesia and takes about two hours to complete.
Schedule a Consultation
Ready to take the next steps towards booking a procedure? Schedule your consultation today to begin your aesthetic journey with Sara Yegiyants, MD, FACS.
How is the Recovery from an Arm Lift?
The healing process takes several weeks to complete and the results are long lasting. It is important to be careful about lifting things and refraining from strenuous activities. Many people take a few days to a week off work following surgery.
When Will I see the Results from an Arm Lift?
The results of an arm lift are somewhat noticeable following the surgery, although there is some initial swelling and bruising. While the scar significantly fades over time, it never disappears. Laser treatments may help with lessening the appearance.
Meet Dr. Yegiyants
Sara Yegiyants, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in surgical and non-invasive procedures. Learn more about Dr. Yegiyants and why you should choose her for your next procedure.
How Much Does Brachioplasty Cost in Santa Barbara?
The cost of brachioplasty varies in cost depending on the extent of the procedure and whether other procedures, such as liposuction, are performed at the same time. During the initial consultation, Dr. Yegiyants discusses the cost along with payment and financing options with each patient.
If you live in or around Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, or Ventura, CA, and are looking for a board-certified plastic surgeon to address your cosmetic surgery needs, contact Sara Yegiyants, MD, FACS, in Santa Barbara, CA, today, to set up your consultation.
Santa Barbara Arm Lift Options
Liposuction and brachioplasty are two options for women to correct upper arm contours. Liposuction focuses on excess fat, while an arm lift removes unwanted skin. Often, Dr. Yegiyants performs the two simultaneously. Dr. Yegiyants offers these surgical procedures to help patients with undesirable upper arm flab, also known as “bat wings.”
Brachioplasty FAQs
Dr. Yegiyants typically performs brachioplasty with local anesthesia. Though Dr. Yegiyants will prescribe pain meds, most of her patients feel well enough to stop taking them soon after surgery.
Upper arm liposuction is ideal for patients with sufficient skin elasticity to bounce back from the procedure.
Following your arm lift, Dr. Yegiyants will wrap your arms in bandages to minimize swelling. She may also place tubes in the area to allow excess fluids to drain. We will send you home with detailed post-surgery instructions about how to keep your incisions clean, what activities to avoid, and when you can return for follow-up appointments. If you have any questions during recovery, call our office immediately.
Scarring is a natural part of your body’s healing process. While the incisions required for brachioplasty usually extend from the armpits to the elbows, Dr. Yegiyants takes care to place them so that the resulting scars are not very noticeable if you place your arms at your sides. Over time, your scars will fade. Dr. Yegiyants is happy to provide advice to ensure your incisions heal quickly and discreetly.
If necessary, Dr. Yegiyants will add liposuction to your customized surgical plan. You can discuss this option during your consultation.
Most health insurance plans won’t cover arm lift surgery. However, if you experience limited arm functionality or an infection develops near a skin fold, your insurer may make an exception. Check with your insurance provider before surgery for more information.
If you have excess skin or fat under your upper arm that hangs when you lift your arm, you may benefit from brachioplasty. The procedure helps you eliminate excess skin and fat while redefining your arm’s contours. Your personalized consultation with Dr. Yegiyants can help determine if you are a good candidate for an arm lift.
While you should be an adult for brachioplasty surgery, there is no upper age limit. As long as you are in overall good health, maintain a stable weight, and are not too overweight, you can get an arm lift to tone and sculpt the contours of your arm.
If you are overweight, it’s better to lose excess weight before having brachioplasty. Significant weight loss can affect the contours of the arms and lead to the appearance of sagging skin and muscles. By losing unwanted weight before an arm lift, you can prolong your brachioplasty results. During your consultation, Dr. Yegiyants can recommend whether you should lose weight before your brachioplasty.
You can prepare for an arm lift by following Dr. Yegiyant’s instructions. While these suggestions might vary from patient to patient, they generally include practices like getting lab tests to determine your overall health, quitting smoking at least 6 weeks before surgery, and applying for time off from work. During your arm lift consultation, Dr. Yegiyants will provide personalized suggestions on how to prepare for brachioplasty.
Brachioplasty is a safe procedure when performed by a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon. But similar to other surgeries, it carries risks associated with factors such as your weight, health, and age. During your consultation, Dr. Yegiyants strives to understand your medical history, lifestyle practices, and associated concerns to determine if you are at high risk of side effects to ensure your health and safety are always a priority.